Mansion ghost hunt set for Halloween night in Topeka

TOPEKA (KSNT) - No plans for Halloween in Topeka? Try checking out the first-ever ghost hunt at a local, and possibly haunted, mansion.

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation and Ghost Tours of Kansas are partnering up for multiple paranormal exploration events this fall in the days leading up to Halloween. An upcoming ghost hunt at Ward-Meade Park, also known as Old Prairie Town, taking place Halloween night is the first of its kind and could reveal previously hidden ghostly activities at a historic mansion and nearby drug store.

Devin Cooper with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation said people can participate in two different events at Ward-Meade Park on Oct. 31. Attendees can expect to learn about the history of the park while also having the chance to encounter the supernatural.

• History & Ghost Stories.
  • 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31.
  • Cost - $25.
• Old Prairie Town Ghost Hunt.
  • 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.
  • Cost - $40.

"So this will actually be the first proper ghost hunt we'll do," Cooper said. "The historical tour we've done before."

Cooper said people participating in the ghost hunt will get to explore the inside of the mansion in the park, a nearby outbuilding and the Potwin Drug Store. Ghost Tours of Kansas will be helping attendees explore and examine these locations for any ghostly apparitions.

"I've gotten some new to me stories such as people seeing a figure in the second floor window of the drug store," Cooper said.

One of the ghosts Cooper thinks people may encounter is Mary Ward, the "Mother of Topeka," who has supposedly been spotted or felt inside the mansion. Participants may smell Mary Ward's rose perfume or see shadow figures around the building indicating a ghostly presence.

"I think what makes this one unique, for the ghost hunt, this will be the first one we've done here," Cooper said. "That can bring out new activity because the ghosts don't know what's going on and may act up a little more."

People can bring flashlights, divining rods, cell phones and other handheld equipment for the ghost hunt. Cooper said flash photography will not be permitted. You can call Shawnee County Parks & Recreation at 785-251-6800 for more information.

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